Backpack with an air cushion

ABSTRACT

A backpack has at least one air cushion and a backpack structure. At least one strap is mounted on the backpack structure and the air cushions are mounted onto the strap and backpack structure. The air cushion is mounted with a bladder having an air valve and an inflating device. A person uses the inflating device to add air into the bladder that is then capable of cushioning impacts by the bag and providing a perfect fit to the person. Accordingly, the backpack volume is minimized by pressing the air valve to discard the air and is convenient for storing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a backpack, especially, to a backpack having an air cushion mounted in order to increase comfort for a wearer.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional backpack is mounted with a sponge foam for cushioning pressure or friction occurring between a person and the backpack. The thickness of the sponge foam is increased in order to enhance the cushioning capability. However, thicker sponge increases the backpack size, requiring more space for storage, the elasticity of the sponge reduces with time and the sponge cannot be tailored to individuals.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional backpack (4) having a back support (6), a mouthpiece (7), two straps (5) and an air cushion. The back support (6) and the straps (5) are formed with a communicating inner space. The mouthpiece (7) is mounted at the top of one strap (5) for inputting air into the air cushion mounted in the inner space. A person must blow air through the mouthpiece to fill the cushion and this requires the person to blow into the tube whilst performing strenuous activities. The cushion is a single construction and has an equal pressure in the back support (6) and the strap (5). Therefore, the cushioning capability of the back support (6) and the strap (5) is equal. If various cushioning capabilities are required, the person cannot adjust the cushioning capability of each strap and back support individually.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a backpack with an air cushion that can be inflated to perfectly fit a person's body and improve comfort, whilst minimizing size. The air cushion having a bladder is mounted on one of a back support and straps of the backpack. An inflating device and an air valve are mounted on the bladder for the person to add or remove air, without using their mouth. The air valve on the air cushion is used to empty air and minimize the backpack's size for storage. The inflating device is provided with an inlet valve to add air into the bladder and expand the bladder. Therefore, the bladder can be adjusted to perfectly fit the person whilst leaving their mouth free to partake in strenuous activity and without being too bulky. Also by removing air the backpack can be further reduced in size for storage.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backpack in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an air cushion of the backpack in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an operational perspective view of the air cushion in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the backpack in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an operational perspective view of the backpack in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional backpack in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a backpack with an air cushion in accordance with the present invention comprises a backpack structure (10) and at least one air cushion (20). The backpack structure (10) has a top, a bottom, a back support (11), two straps (12), at least one inner space (13) and a waist belt (14). Each strap (12) has two ends, respectively connected to the top and the bottom of the backpack structure (10). An optional waist belt (14) is connected to the bottom of the backpack structure (10) and are fastened at a person's waist for steadying the backpack structure (10) carried by the person. The at least one inner space (13) may be located at any place on the backpack structure (10) where contacting with the person, so the at least one inner space (13) may be defined in the waist belt (14). In a preferred embodiment, at least one inner space (13) is formed in each respective one of the straps (12) and the back support (11) and may be independent to each other.

The at least one air cushion (20) is mounted respectively in the at least one inner space (13). In a preferred embodiment, the backpack has at least two air cushions (20) mounted in the inner spaces (13) in the back support (11) or the straps (12). Each air cushion has a bladder (21), an inflating device (22) connected to the bladder (21), an air valve (23) mounted on the bladder (21) and an optional connecting tube (24). The air bladder (21) may have a shape corresponding to where it is positioned, for instance, the strap (12), the back support (11) or the waist belt (14). The bladder (21) may be located at the top and the bottom of the back support (11) and may be rectangular, oblong or the like. The connecting tube (24) connects the bladders (21) between the top and the bottom of the back support (11). The inflating device (22) is mounted adjacent to the corresponding bladder in the strap (12), in the back support (11) or in the waist belt (14). When the person carries the backpack structure (10), the inflating device (22) is easy to reach and operate.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the inflating device (22) comprises an inlet valve (221), an outlet valve (222) and an optional pump (223). The inlet valve (221) is connected to the pump (223) and has an open end extending into the inner space (13) to allow air into the pump (223). The outlet valve (222) may comprise a tube and connects to the bladder (21) and allows air to enter the bladder (21).

With further reference to FIG. 3, the bladder (21) is filled with air from the outlet valve (222) and expands to a volume. The air valve (23) on the bladder (23) can release the air to reduce the volume of the bladder (21). The air valve (23) extends out from the inner space of the strap (12), back support (11) or waist belt (14).

With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pump (223) is compressed and released repeatedly to pump air into the bladder (21) through the outlet valve (222). The bladder (21) is filled with air and expands. The straps (12) and the back support (11) contain independent bladders (21), so the person can adjust the air pressure of each bladder (21) to control the cushioning capability of each. The person can also minimize the volume of the backpack structure (10) for storage by releasing air through the air valve (23).

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A backpack comprising a backpack structure having a top; a bottom; a surface; a back support; at least one strap each one having two ends respectively connecting to the top and bottom of the backpack structure; and at least one inner space defined in the backpack structure; and at least one air cushion mounted respectively in the at least one inner space, and each one of the at least one air cushion having a bladder mounted in a corresponding inner space; an inflating device connected to the bladder and having an outlet valve connected to the bladder and an inlet valve with an open end extending into the corresponding inner space; and an air valve mounted on the bladder.
 2. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backpack structure has at least one inner space formed in each respective one of the back support and the at least one strap and multiple air cushions being mounted in the inner spaces in the back support and the at least one strap.
 3. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inflating device of each one of the at least one air cushion is a pump.
 4. The backpack as claim in claim 1, wherein the air valve of each one of the at least one air cushion is extended out the surface of the backpack structure.
 5. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backpack structure further has a waist belt connecting to the bottom of the backpack structure and being adapted to be fastened around a user for adding stability.
 6. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein each one of the at least one air cushion is shaped corresponding to a shape where the air cushion being mounted.
 7. The backpack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backpack structure has at least two air cushions mounted at the top and the bottom of the backpack structure.
 8. The backpack as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least two air cushions mounted at the top and bottom are connected with a connecting tube.
 9. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inflating device of each air cushion is a pump.
 10. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the backpack structure further has a waist belt connecting to the bottom of the backpack and adapted to fasten around a user for added stability.
 11. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the air valve of each air cushion extending out of a corresponding of the at least one strap and the back support of the back structure.
 12. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the backpack structure has at least two air cushions mounted at the top and bottom.
 13. The backpack as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner spaces in the at least one strap and the back support of the backpack structure are independent to each other.
 14. The backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one air cushion is shaped corresponding to the shape where it being mounted.
 15. The backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the air valve of the bladder of the at least one air cushion extending out of the at least one strap and the back support of the back structure.
 16. The backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the backpack structure has at least two air cushions mounted respectively at the top and the bottom of the backpack structure.
 17. The backpack as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inflating device of each one of the at least one air cushion is a pump. 